Chapter 2. Housekeeping

• Intended Learning Outcomes


  • Identify safety measures in doing household tasks
  • Recognize the tools, utensil and materials in housekeeping
  • Discuss the principles and concept of housekeeping
• Housekeeping


  Management of duties and chores in running a household, including cleaning, cooking, home maintenance, shopping, laundry and payment of house bills
• Housekeeper


  The individual who manages the household
• Housecleaning is the most important component of housekeeping
• Important areas of the house that must be cleaned and sanitized

  • Toilets and bathrooms
  • Urinals
  • Lavatories and their accessories
• Without cleaning, dusts form on surfaces, molds grow in wet areas, lime scale may harden on kitchenware and pipes, glasses may be blurry or stained, toilet may turn smelly, and cobwebs accumulate
• Areas which have direct contact with our bodies such as toilets and bathrooms, urinals and lavatories and their accessories need to be the cleanest parts of the house
• Amenities are considered and provided for effective and efficient housekeeping, such as towels, linens, beddings, glasses, tableware, pieces of furniture, appliances, and kitchen wares
• Cleaning equipment, tools, and supplies are necessary for complete housekeeping needs
• Vacuum cleaner


  • Used to remove dust particles from carpet surfaces and upholstered furniture, can also be used on hard surfaces

  
• Floor polisher


  • Used to scrub floor, strip and polish hard floor surfaces, and polish vinyl, wood and parquet

  
• Carpet sweeper


  • Used to pick up dirt and some particles from the carpet
• Hydro-Vacuum or wet and dry vacuum

  • All-purpose vacuum used for absorbing water in flooded or wet surface and can also be used for dry surfaces
• Carpet extractor


  • Intended for dry foam shampooing of carpets, removes dirt that sticks to or penetrates into the layers of the carpets
• Cart or trolley


  • Used to stock cleaning supplies and chemicals to make cleaning faster and easier
• Cleaning Tools


  • Scouring pads
  • Dusting clothes
  • Polishing cloth
  • Cleaning broom
  • Mop with mop handle
  • Floor and window squeegees
  • Toilet bowl brush
  • Sponges
  • Trash bags
  • Tongs

  
• Cleaning tools and materials are very important in doing housekeeping tasks, and proper handling of these tools is necessary
• Cleaning Chemicals


  • Wood polish
  • Insecticides
  • Methylated spirit
  • Air freshener
  • Muriatic acid

  
• Wood polish


  Used to polish or shine wood surfaces, leather surfaces such as sofa and similar pieces of furniture
• Insecticides


  Used to fumigate or eliminate insects and pests
• Methylated spirit


  Chemical used to polish all glass surfaces such as mirrors, windows and others
• Air freshener


  Used to spray guestrooms, comfort rooms, or any area to give fresh smell or to remove foul odor from the room
• Muriatic acid


  Only appropriate for removing hard dirt from cemented floor or similar surfaces, must not be used in cleaning toilet bowls
• Housekeeping is not only plain cleanliness, it also involves keeping areas neat and orderly, keeping floors free of slip and trip hazards, maintaining halls and hallways safe and clean, and removing waste materials from work areas and fire hazard places
• Employers need to orient workers and provide all the necessary information to ensure safe use of tools, and workers must have the appropriate qualifications to use intricate tools and equipment
• Tips for safely handling material

  • Determine if you can carry a load comfortably
  • Ask for help if the load is too heavy or bulky for one person
  • Lift the load correctly
  • See to it that your footing is solid
  • Position your back with no curving or slouching
  • Your body must be at center over your feet
  • Get a good grasp of the object and pull it close to you
  • Lift with your legs and not with your back
  • Move your feet to turn, don't twist your back
  • Don't attempt to carry a big or heavy load